Can Indoor & Outdoor Cats Be Friends?

Q. I acquired two fixed grey tabby’s, Henry & Honey, last year. Honey has proven to be an indoor/outdoor cat; however, Henry is strictly indoor. A few months ago Henry disappeared for three days and since returning is terrified of going outside. The two cats have not bonded well. Honey continually hisses and growls at Henry. When she’s outside he wanders around moaning, crying and rubbing against me. He’s not a lap cat, so difficult for me to hold and comfort him. Plus he has little interest in playing with a variety of toys. He strikes me as an unhappy camper. Also, he is becoming overweight, apparently drowning his sorrows in food. Any thoughts? Rose Resh – Mechanicsburg

A. An alliance between an indoor and indoor/outdoor kitty in the same home can be tricky. One is free to roam, the other isn’t. The dynamic is off.

Felines possess one of the most powerful olfactory systems in the animal world. Imagine the scents (undetectable to you) Honey carries back inside, possibly reminding Henry of a scary experience he had while missing. Maybe Honey has tussled with other felines during her outdoor adventures. Her instincts may tell her to keep Henry at a distance.

Either way, I think they’ll have a better chance of bonding if neither is allowed to roam. The “wild scents” entering Henry’s comfort zone every day could well be stressing him. Just a theory.

Don’t feel guilty about not being able to hold and comfort him. Many former strays find physical handling more a threat than a comfort. We intuitively console children with touch, but cats are another story. Don't expect either to react as a child would.

I suspect Henry is more confused than unhappy. Or else you haven’t zeroed in on the types of indoor stimulation he needs, commonly referred to as “bringing the outdoors inside – minus the danger”.

Even scaredy cats enjoy window perches and cat trees placed near windows facing bird feeders. And I have yet to see any tabby who won’t chase the beam on a laser mouse. Cats typically don’t drown their sorrows in food. He may overeat out of boredom. Again, just a theory.

If Henry’s packing on the pounds, provide measured portions at specific times of day rather than free feed. Not only will this help manage his weight, but he’ll see you as the provider of his food-- thereby strengthening his connection to you.

Readers Weigh In on Quality of Life ColumnRegarding your decision to not have Barney’s mast cell tumor removed, just minutes after reading your story my mother’s veterinarian called. I explained to them that Katie, their dog, who has a heart condition would not be going into surgery to remove two mast cell tumors on her hind legs. I did so with my boxer Sydney two years ago and his heart failed weeks afterward. We’ve decided to keep Katie stable and happy. I believe to this day Sydney would have lived longer had the operation not disrupted a delicate balance in his body. Lori Nicholson – Branford Connecticutt

I am dealing with a recurrent tumor with my little dog for over a year now. Multiple surgeries, chemoembolizations, and a chemo drug which her kidneys cannot tolerate. There have been huge highs of victory and huge lows like the kick in the stomach you described. I’d like to share a cancer website that offers national prayer at 8 p.m. on Sunday nights. On www.caninecancer.com one can purchase a small candle with the proceeds going to canine cancer research. We all light our candle and join in prayer.

It’s comforting to have this group prayer dynamic, as we are all together in wanting the best for our beloved pets, the pet parents and the veterinarians who are so dedicated to their care and to us. Blessings to you and Barney.Grace Schuyler – Camp Hill